A Fifth-Generation Family Estate Simply Bursting With Color

Jeffrey Bilhuber celebrates a family's heritage in the most unlikely way — by unleashing a riot of color from the root cellar to the rafters.

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Thomas Loof

Sitting Area

The former living room in this New Jersey home now functions as a reception hall, with a big, comfortable custom sofa covered in Perennials' Nit Witty. A vintage American rattan chair faces a 19th-century English tray table. Walls in Benjamin Moore's Feather Down with trim in Pratt & Lambert's Obsidian. Jute rug from Patterson Flynn Martin. Painting by Julian Schnabel.

In the library, walls covered in Wolf-Gordon's Bonaire are just the first of several stripes, including Jacques Bouvet et Cie's Tunis on the English wing chair and Malabar's Tiwi on the curtains. Custom chesterfield sofa covered in Pindler's Trianon. Antelope carpet by Stark.

In the new double-height living room, "the eye gravitates to that fearless David Hicks flash of color — the fuchsia sofas that flank the fireplace," says designer Jeffrey Bilhuber. They're covered in Malabar's Tabia. A French armchair is upholstered in Designtex's Parga. The exuberant blue-and-persimmon print on a pair of chairs is Tulu's Stella. Another sofa, covered in a corduroy from Sonia's Place, is placed against the old exterior wall of the icehouse. Curtains in Osborne & Little's Serenissima in the center, Schumacher's Kasari Ikat at the sides, and Malabar's Carom at the left. Hanging Schoolhouse lights from Rejuvenation add a casual touch next to a two-tier Classic Ring chandelier from Circa Lighting. Walls in Woodlawn Blue and ceiling in Winds Breath, both by Benjamin Moore. Carpet by Patterson Flynn Martin.

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Thomas Loof

Living Room

Deep, rich colors warm up a corner of the living room.

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Thomas Loof

Dining Room

"In the dining rooms of fine old houses, you'll often see a small table in a bay window or off to the side," says Bilhuber. "It's a way to enjoy the room with just two or three people." An antique English gateleg table cozies up to a banquette covered in a navy velvet from Perennials. Pillows in China Seas' Lim Bamboo II and Schumacher's Kasari Ikat.

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Thomas Loof

Dining Room

Window casings painted in Fine Paints of Europe's 7495 and DeVenco shades relate to the colors in Patterson Flynn Martin's Royal Edition rug, without matching them exactly.

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Thomas Loof

Kitchen

The kitchen table is the same height as the island, so they can be moved together if needed. Island painted in Guacamole and cabinets in Colony Green, both by Benjamin Moore. Lights, Rejuvenation.

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